After a lot of hype I was slightly disappointed in this film, mainly because I didn't like the casting (with the esception of Helen Mirren, who stole the show). Because I'm a fervent Tolstoyan I was glued to the screen but Kate was bit underwhelmed and fell asleep.
I don't think the film achieved the feeling of the times historically. Well worh seeing nonetheless but might so easily have been better.

Really enjoyable film with very good performances from James McAvoy and Helen Mirren. Tells the story of the relationship between Tolstoy and his wife the Countessa in their later years. The constant media attention on Tolstoy and his life is very relevant today. Highly recommended.

What a delight. Not a hidden message or an over acted part. Just a very entertaining portrait of a slice of history little known to most of us. The players all get a 10 out of 10 from me. A film that will occupy your mind for a long time after the last scene.
Very good.

This is just excellent! Wonderful cast of giants, great script, passion, hilarious interludes and emotional rollercoasting! Worth watching if only for the "chicken" scene between Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer - but actually the whole film is a real gem :-)

Lets face it if your into tolstoy you will probably have a different opinion of this story, I thought it was a good performance by lead actors Mirren and Plummer but in all honesty I didnt really enjoy it and thought it was going nowhere for long periods.

Set in the last tumultuous years of famed Russian author Leo Tolstoy's life, centers on the battle for his soul waged by his wife Sofya Andreyevna and his leading disciple Vladimir Cherkov. Torn between his professed doctrine of poverty and chastity and the reality of his enormous wealth, his thirteen children and a life of hedonism, Tolstoy makes a dramatic flight from his home. Too ill to continue beyond the tiny rail station at Astapovo, he believes that he is dying alone,...